Catheter placement unit with anesthetic



Aug. 5, 1969 I ,w. H. RING ETAL CATHETER PLACEMENT UNIT WITH ANESTHETI-C 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 20, 1966 mvzswrcm; M44465 2W6 (4124 .4. IDA/V/VIER)./:.

JAMES L 50 4.5 MOAMLYS w. H. RING ETAI- 3,459,183 CATHETER PLACEMENT UNIT WITH ANESTHETIC Aug. 5, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 20,, 1966 United States Patent 3,459,183 CATHETER PLACEMENT UNIT WITH ANESTHETIC Wallace H. Ring, Karl A. Pannier, Jan, and James L.

Sorenson, Salt Lake City, Utah, assignors to Le Voys Inc, a corporation of Utah Filed May 20, 1966, Ser. No. 551,701 Int. Cl. A61m 25/00; A61b /10, 17/34 US. Cl. 128-214.4 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A catheter placement unit including a hollow needle and a fiexible catheter in telescopic relationship and movable relatively to each other, and more particularly to such a unit carrying a supply of local anesthetic for application subcutaneously prior to venipuncture, a blood sample being obtained in the same receptacle that carries the anesthetic immediately after venipuncture, and the catheter may be connected to an infusion system either before or after venipuncture.

Local anesthetization is always indicated in connection with the cannulation of veins with relatively large needles, and may be indicated in many cases depending upon circumstances and conditions, even with the use of relatively small needles. With local anesthetization subcutaneously prior to actual venipuncture, the patient does not feel the venipuncture itself, and there is far less likelihood of any spasmodic movement that might adversely affect proper venipuncture and placement of the catheter without injury to either the wall of the vein or to the catheter.

I-Ieretofore, sucutaneous anesthetization was accomplished with the use of a hypodermic needle or the equivalent which was not an original part of the catheter placement unit. This necessitated the time consuming use of a plurality of instruments or pieces of apparatus, thus multiplying chances of possible error and injury to the patient, and frequently the patient would be subject to fright or at least psychopathic intimidation.

Accordingly, an important object of the instant invention is the provision of a catheter placement unit so arranged that a subcutaneous puncture may be made, anesthesia injected, a venipuncture made, and the catheter inserted in the vein.

Also an important object of this invention is a catheter placement unit capable of functioning in the manner outlined in the preceding paragraph and also providing the attending surgeon with a sample of the patients blood for later analysis and test, all without any addition to the parts of the placement unit.

It is another object of this invention to provide a catheter placement unit so arranged that the catheter itself may be first connected to an infusion system, and thereafter an anesthetic may be injected subcutaneously first and then a venipuncture made and the catheter placed in position within the vein.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a catheter placement unit embodying a catheter and a hollow needle in telescopic relationship with a resilient container holding an anesthetic solution attached to the needle hub, whereby a subcutaneous puncture may be made, the container compressed between the thumb and a finger of the operator to inject the anesthetic, and thereafter a venipuncture may be made, the pressure on the receptacle released, and if the venipuncture is proper the receptacle will denote that fact by filling with blood,

3,459,183 Patented Aug. 5, 1969 whereupon the needle may be retracted and the blood in the receptacle furnishes an excellent sample for later analysis and test.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a catheter placement unit embodying principles of the instant invention showing the same in an initial stage of actual use;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the placement unit in a more advanced stage of use;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the unit of FIGURES 1 and 2, illustrating the catheter connected to an infusion system, and the needle removed;

FIGURE 4 is a greatly enlarged transverse sectional view of the unit structure taken substantially as indicated by the line IV-IV of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modified form of the instant invention;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of the structure of FIGURE 5 showing the same in an initial stage of usage;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary elevational view of the unit of FIGURES 5 and 6 showing the same at the completion of the catheter placement operation, with the needle removed; and

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary greatly enlarged central vertical sectional view through the hub of the catheter as the same is seen in FIGURE 7.

As shown on the drawings:

It will be understood that both embodiments of the instant invention may be manufactured in various sizes, small sizes with relatively short needles and catheters for infusion into surface veins, and larger sizes with longer needles and catheters for infusion into deeper veins.

The first illustrated embodiment of the instant invention, seen in FIGURES 1 to 4 inclusive, includes a catheter 1, the outer end of which, that is, the end that does not enter the patients vein, is securely connected to a hub 2, the catheter extending into the hub satisfactorily to a distance indicated by the dotted lines in FIG- URE 1. This hub is provided with a plurality of outstanding longitudinally extending ribs 3 thereon to enhance the grip of the operators fingers on the hub. The catheter hub is, of course, hollow as seen in FIGURE 4, and on the outer end thereof the hub is provided with a plurality of lateral projections 4, two being a satisfactory number as illustrated. These projections are for locking engagement with a needle hub, as will later appear.

The placement unit also includes a hollow rigid needle 5 having a bevelled end 6 thereupon to insure a sufficiently sharp point for penetration purposes. The opposite end of the needle is secured within a hollow hub 7, the needle hub 7 having a groove 8 therein to receive the outer end of the catheter hub. With reference to FIGURE 4, it will be seen that portions of the groove are deepened as at 9 beneath radially extending flanges 10, notched as indicated at 11 for the reception of the lateral projections 4 on the catheter hub.

Secured inside the outer portion of the needle hub 7, by fusion or adhesion or in any other equivalent manner, is a receptacle 12 in the form of a compressible resilient bulb, made of transparent plastic such as polyethylene or an equivalent substance. This receptacle or bulb 12 is in open communication with the lumen of the needle but is otherwise closed. The needle hub is provided with a transversely curvate extension 13 along one side of the bulb to afford a backing when the bulb is compressed and also to give the operator a firmer hand grip. Initially, the bulb 12 contains an anesthetic, such as cocaine, a preparation of cocaine, a preparation of lidocaine, or any other suitable local anesthetic.

All parts of the placement unit, with the exception of the needle, may satisfactorily be made of extruded or molded plastic material, the catheter hub 2 and the needle hub 7 being rigid, while the catheter 1 is, of course, flexible.

When packaged, the catheter hub and needle hub are locked together, in the position shown in FIGURE 4, with the lateral extensions 4 of the catheter hub engaged behind the flanges 10 on the needle hub, so that the catheter cannot be moved telescopically relatively to the needle, or vice versa, during venipuncture. The bulb 12 is also filled with an anesthetic, the needle and catheter covered with the usual slip-on needle guard, not shown, and the assembly is disposed in a completely sterile wrapper.

In use, the invention is extremely simple and easy to manipulate. Since some surgeons prefer the bevel 6 of the needle to be facing up when the needle is inserted, while others prefer it to be facing down, the instant placement unit accommodates both choices. When the backing extension 13 on the needle hub 7 is disposed on one side, the needle bevel will be facing up, while if the device is turned 180, the bevel will face down. It is a simple expedient for the surgeon to grasp the needle hub, without squeezing the bulb 12, make a subcutaneous puncture as indicated at 14 in FIGURE 1 in the body 15 of a patient, and then squeeze the bulb to inject the anesthetic. While holding the bulb compressed between a thumb and forefinger, the surgeon can then insert the needle directly into a vein 16 in the patients body. Release of pressure on the bulb permits the same to expand and if the venipuncture is a proper one, the bulb will immediately fill with blood as indicated at .17 in FIG- URE 2. This not only gives visible evidence of proper venipuncture, but also provides an adequate blood sample for later analysis and test. Once the venipuncture has been established, the catheter hub and needle hub are relatively rotated until the projections 4 on the catheter hub may exit through the notches 11 in the needle hub, permitting relative telescopic movement between the catheter and the needle. If the catheter and needle are short, the catheter will be fully advanced upon venipuncture, and the needle need only be Withdrawn. If the catheter is long, the catheter may be advanced into the vein relatively to the needle and then the remaining portion of the needle withdrawn. In any event, simple relative telescopic movement results in the positioning of the catheter and complete withdrawal of the needle. After the needle is withdrawn with the blood sample in the bulb 12, it may be sent to the laboratory. The hub 2 of the catheter may then be connected in the usual manner to a tube 18 leading from the bottle 19 or other source of infusion fluid as seen in the upper portion of FIGURE 3.

The twist lock arrangement between the catheter hub and the needle hub positively holds the catheter and needle against relative movement, even though the catheter and needle are lubricated with silicone or the like until after venipuncture has been made. Should these two elements be freely movable with respect to each other, a danger exists that during manipulation of the needle under the skin, the needle will be withdrawn partially and reinserted, thereby cutting the catheter. That danger is entirely eliminated with the instant placement unit.

Some surgeons may have a preference for, or circumstances might indicate, the use of a catheter placement unit which can be connected to an infusion system before placement of the catheter. Also, at times a surgeon may desire a catheter placement unit permitting relative telescopic movement between the catheter and the needle.

The modification of the instant invention seen in FIG- URES 5 to 8 inclusive satisfies these requirements. With the modification shown in these figures, the needle can be withdrawn back to the point where the catheter may be first flushed out with infusion liquid, then the needle resheathed in the catheter, and then placement of the catheter may be made with the catheter still connected to the infusion system.

While this form of the invention may be made with the catheter of any desired length, it is highly desirable in a small form for short insertions in the surface veins.

This form of the invention includes a catheter 20 of which the outer end is secured by adhesion, fusion, or in any other suitable manner inside a hollow hub 21 as seen best in FIGURE 7. Externally thereof the hub 21 is pro vided with a plurality of outwardly extending ribs 22 in order to enhance the grip of the operator upon the hub. Intterally, the hub is provided with an enlarged bore 23 outward of the secured end of the catheter. One end of a flexible tube 24 extends through the wall of the hub into the bore 23 and is firmly secured to the hub. This tube 24 has a suitable fitting 25 on its other end for connection in an infusion system, this fitting being capped as indicated at 26 in FIGURE 5 prior to use to maintain the placement unit sterile.

Over the outer end of the catheter hub a cap 27, made of resilient self-sealing material such as soft rubber or synthetic rubber or material equivalent for the purpose, the cap having portion 28 projecting within the bore 23 of the catheter hub, and a portion 29 extending over the outer surface of the catheter hub.

The placement unit also includes a hollow needle 30 having one end thereof firmly anchored in a hub 31, the hub being recessed as indicated at 32 to frictionally receive therein the aforesaid cap 27 of self-sealing material carried by the catheter hub. A resilient compressible receptacle or bulb 33, preferably made of transparent plastic material, is anchored firmly over the outer end of the needle hub and communicates only with the lumen of the needle. This bulb 33 is initially filled with an anesthetic, and later with a sample of blood after venipuncture has been made, in the manner above explained in connection with the first illustrated embodiment of the invention.

When the placement unit is originally assembled, the needle passes through the self-sealing cap 27, thence through the catheter, and the point of the needle projects beyond the free end of the catheter as seen in FIGURES 5 and 6. The self-sealing cap 27 is frictionally seated in the adjacent end of the needle hub.

in use, this form of the invention may first be connected by way of the tube 24 to a bottle or other source 34 of infusion fluid in the usual manner. The needle may then be retracted to a point where infusion liquid may flush out the catheter 20, and then the needle resheathed within the catheter. In this process, there is little, if any, danger of injuring the catheter by the needle, since the needle will be guided both by the cap 27 and also by the channel through the catheter where that catheter is secured inside the hub 21. Should any damage occur to the catheter during this operation, it can readily be detected, since the needle has not as yet been applied to the body of a patient. A subcutaneous puncture is next made, as indicated in FIGURE 6, without the needle having entered a vein 35 in the patients body, and the bulb 33 is compressed to inject the anesthetic therefrom. With the bulb held compressed, venipuncture is then made, the bulb released to obtain a sample of blood for later analysis and test as well as denote whether the venipuncture is successful. The needle and catheter are then advanced in the vein, and the needle with the blood sample in the bulb is withdrawn from the catheter through the cap 27 on the catheter hub which of course reseals itself immediately upon removal of the needle. Infusion may be immediately started upon release of pressure on the bulb 33 after venipuncture and prior to withdrawal of the needle.

As is the case with the previous embodiment of this invention, a catheter larger than the needle used to make the venipuncture is placed, thereby providing a tight fit or chance of less leakage at the venipuncture site. Both forms of the invention possess the advantage of locally anesthetizing the area of venipuncture, simultaneously denoting the success of the venipuncture and obtaining a sample of blood for test, and the entire operation including placement of the catheter and removal of the needle may be accomplished almost in a continuous movement without the necessity of using any other instruments.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected Without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. A catheter placement unit including:

a flexible catheter cannula,

a hollow hub on one end thereof,

a needle cannula,

a hollow hub on one end of the needle cannula,

said hubs being shaped for initial but separable engagement with said cannulae in telescopic relationship with said hubs engaged and the needle point eX- tending beyond the free end of the catheter cannula, said cannulae being relatively movable,

an anesthetic carrying receptable secured to the hub of the innermost cannula in communication with the lumen thereof,

said catheter cannula hub having an enlarged bore therein beyond the secured cannula end, a tube having an end secured in the wall of said hub and leading to said bore,

a fitting on the other end of said tube for connection to an infusion system, and

a self-sealing cap on the outer end of the catheter cannula hub.

2. A catheter placement unit including:

a flexible catheter cannula,

a hollow hub on one end thereof,

a needle cannula,

a hollow hub on one end of the needle cannula,

said hubs being shaped for initial but separable engagement with said cannulae in telescopic relationship with said hubs engaged and the needle point extending beyond the free end of the catheter cannula,

said cannulae being relatively movable,

an anesthetic carrying receptacle secured to the hub of the innermost cannula in communication with the lumen thereof,

a self-sealing cap on the outer end of the catheter cannula hub, and

said needle cannula extending through said cap into telescopic relationship with said catheter cannula.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,680,440 6/1954 Fox 128216 3,081,770 3/1963 Hunter 128-221 3,094,122 6/1963 Gauthier et al 128221 3,181,529 5/1965 Wilburn 1282 3,313,299 4/1967 Spademan 128-214.4

FOREIGN PATENTS 135,689 5/ 1952 Sweden.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner M. F. MAJESTIC, Assistant Examiner Us. or. X12, 12s- 2, 221, 347 

